Holidays

The community is welcome to join us at services throughout the year. Tickets are required for the High Holidays.

Join us for the High Holidays!
Rosh Hoshana and Yom Kippur are peak experiences of the Jewish year. We are empowered then to return to our family and friends, to our own highest potential, and to G-d with renewed self-knowledge and optimism. These three sacred days are spiritual “highs,” unique opportunities to clarify our personal goals and re-gain our sense of purpose and meaning in life. As with all significant Jewish experiences, however, they cannot be enjoyed in isolation. We need the embrace and encouragement of a community. At Kane Street Synagogue, we provide this support through two unique and moving High Holiday services.

Our Sanctuary Service, is led by Rabbi Samuel H. Weintraub and Chazzan Ray Scheindlin, gifted lay leaders, and the De Rossi singers, our sanctuary choir. It features strong congregational singing of classical High Holiday melodies, sermons about personal spirituality and social morality, and the trademark Kane Street embrace of people from all levels of Jewish literacy and all kind of religious backrounds. We are especially excited this year to introduce Machzor Lev Shalem, a beautiful, modern High Holiday prayer book with engaging commentaries, transliterations, and guides for personal observance.

Our Bergen Street Service, a smaller, more intimate experience, is held at the nearby Mary MacDowell School. It is led by Music Director Judith Berkson and talented lay prayer leaders and teachers. A more informal service, it inspires the mind and heart through energetic group singing and brief, thoughtful teachings about the meaning of these Holy Days. Those attending also reflect the full gamut of ages, religious beliefs, and social views.

We also offer three dynamic and creative children’s services led by experienced Jewish youth educators at the Kane Street Education Building for both days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Babysitting is available at both Kane Street and Mary McDowell Friends School. Please indicate if you and your family plan to attend.

Kane Street Synagogue Sanctuary Service

Download the High Holiday Service Schedule here and the Children and Family Services Schedule here

High Holiday Cycle

Unless otherwise noted, Holidays begin at sundown, the evening before the dates below:

S’lichot – September 20, 2014
On the Saturday evening before Rosh Hashanah, we gather in the Sanctuary to prepare ourselves for the Days of Awe. The program includes a social hour, reflective discussion and late night Penitential Service. Recent topics of study have been Ritual, Forgiveness, Ethical Wills and Fundamentalism.

Rosh Hashanah – September 24-26, 2014
Prayer services and discussion groups meet in the Sanctuary, Community Room and Chapel, offering a variety of programs for adults and children. The congregation gathers for Tashlich services at the Brooklyn Bridge.

Kol Nidre – October 3, 2014
On the holiest night of the year, please plan to arrive at the Synagogue promptly. The doors of the Sanctuary remain closed during the solemn chanting of the Kol Nidre prayer. Late-comers are seated at the conclusion of the prayer.

Yom Kippur – October 4, 2014
Worship services on Yom Kippur, as with Rosh Hashanah, accommodates a diverse community. The schedule includes a Yizkor service and afternoon study session. We break our fast together with cake and OJ.

Sukkot – October 9-15, 2014
Prior to the holiday many hands help build and decorate our sweet-smelling sukkah. Join us for Sukkot services and for a week of festive meals. You may purchase your lulav and etrog through the office.

Hoshana Rabah – October 15, 2014
In our joyful service on the final day of Sukkot we march in seven processions around the Synagogue, sing and beat willow twigs on the Sanctuary floor to shake off the leaves. The leafless twigs are symbolic of our old selves that we shed through T’shuva (repentance).

Sh’mini Atzeret – October 16, 2014
The Morning Service includes Yizkor memorial prayers.

Simchat Torah – October 17, 2014
We express our joy for the Torah during high spirited evening services in the Sanctuary and out on Kane Street where the street is closed to traffic and we dance with our Torah Scrolls and enjoy refreshments.

Other Holidays

Chanukah – December 16 – first candle; December 17 – 24, 2014
Each night of Chanukah a group gathers around our brass menorah to light the candles. Our Hebrew School students and Kane Street Kids enjoy meals with latkes and donuts and play dreidel games, and the congregation gathers on Shabbat for dinner.

Tu B’Shevat – February 4, 2015
We teach our students about the New Year for Trees by eating a new piece of fruit on this day, planting trees and collecting money for the trees in Israel.

Purim – March 5, 2015
Two Megillah readings are held on the night of Purim. Our Purim celebration in the Sanctuary is a boisterous and very child-friendly affair where costumed merry-makers drone out Haman’s name with a vengeance. The “quiet” Megillah reading in the Chapel attracts a crowd who manages to enjoy the cacophony of assorted noise-makers and actually listens to the Purim story. Purim at Kane Street is not to be missed!

Pesach – April 3, 2015 – first Seder; April 4 – 11, 2015
Kane Street prepares for Pesach by cleaning the synagogue’s kitchen, arranging for the sale of chametz, distributing Passover food orders and matching Seder guests with hosts for home hospitality.

Yom HaShoah – April 16, 2015
Kane Streeters join together with other synagogues in the Brooklyn Brownstone Community in an annual Holocaust Commemorative program. The event is held at a different synagogue each year. The evening is always inspirational.

Yom Ha’atz’ma’ut – April 23, 2015
Our Israel Independence Day programs commemorating the founding of the modern State of Israel vary from year to year. The program begins with a special Maâ€™ariv evening service, prayers of remembrance for fallen soldiers and civilians, Israeli songs led by Joey Weisenberg and Kane Street members, and a light Israeli dinner. Many Kane Streeters show their support for Israel by attending the Israeli Day parade on Fifth Avenue.

Shavuot – May 24-25, 2015
To honor the sacred gift of Torah, Kane Street begins the two-day Shavuot holiday with an evening Tikkun, a study session. We usually begin with Ma’ariv services, followed by refreshments in the Community Room and presentations by the Rabbi and several members. Each year we explore a theme with texts from the Tanakh, Talmud, and medieval or modern literature. Discussion often continues past midnight.

Tishah B’Av – July 26, 2015
We remember the destruction of the first two Temples and other tragedies with evening services in the Community Room. As a sign of mourning, we sit on the floor of the darkened room. Using flashlights to read the text, we sing the Kinot and chant the Book of Eichah.